CRI organized a discussion event ‘Itihasher Oboruddho Odhyay: 1975-1996’ on August 24, 2019. The discussants shed light on the grim chapter of Bangladesh’s history starting with the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on August 15, 1975. Prominent journalist Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, former State Minister Tarana Halim, Dhaka Tribune editor Zafar Sobhan, Dr. Nuzhat Choudhury, daughter of martyred intellectual Abdul Alim Chaudhury and writer Maruf Rosul were the panelists of the event attended by more than 50 youth.

‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ hit a major milestone after being selected for screening at several prestigious international film festivals in 2019. The Docu-drama has been selected for screening at the 40th edition of Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. It was screened on July 20 at the ‘Gateway 12’ while the second screening was held on July 24 at the ‘Musgrave 1’. ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ was also screened at the 10th Jagran Film Festival in New Delhi, India.

The highly acclaimed docu-drama, ‘Hasina : A Daughter’s Tale, has been screened on August 13, 2019 at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), in HOYTS Highpoint in Melbourne. The IFFM is Australia’s biggest annual celebration of Indian and the subcontinent cinema. It is considered to be a unique cultural event that celebrates the incredible diversity of the world’s largest film industry, from record-breaking blockbusters to genre-defying art-house hits. The film festival has selected ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ under ‘From the Subcontinent’ category.

‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ was screened at the prestigious DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, under the Global Vision category in South Korea on September 21, 2019 and September 23, 2019. DMZ Docs was launched in 2009, echoes the values of peace, life and communication, through documentary films. In last 10 years, DMZ Docs has grown to become one of the leading and dynamic documentary film festivals. Bangladesh Embassy in South Korea also arranged a screening of the film for the diplomatic community at Seoul on September 22, 2019.

Deft economic management and strong political leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina helped Bangladesh achieve a decade of nearly 7% average GDP growth. Bangladesh crossed the Lower Middle Income threshold in 2015, meeting all criteria for graduation out of LDC status. The country has also witnessed major infrastructural undertakings, massive digitation, initiatives to protect environment, build resilience to natural disaster and climate change. This publication looks at the state of progress and development in some key sectors as it stands at the end of 2018-19 fiscal year.

Bangladesh has excelled itself into international spotlight as an impressive success story, endorsed by the global leaders and to be replicated for many nations striving for progress. The country stands out as a strong voice for crucial issues such as climate change. Additionally, the country has also been sheltering more than a million Rohingya for over two years, which has been highly appreciated by the international communities. This publication illustrates Bangladesh’s prominent role on the international stage in 2019, led by its prudent Premier, Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh has been riding on a mounting trajectory of rapid development. The prosperous journey is not without challenges and threats. Violent extremism and terrorism are among the primary threats to peace and security in the country. The government has been watchful of the threats and is pro-actively addressing them. This publication portrays how Bangladesh has achieved commendable success in countering terrorism and violent extremism during the last decade as a result of the ‘zero tolerance’ policy adopted by the current government.

Bangladesh has drawn massive global attention in last decade for its outstanding success and landmark accomplishments in increasing agricultural production, attaining food self-sufficiency and ensuring sustainable food security. One of the biggest achievements of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector is its ability to secure food for its 160 million people. This publication portrays the contribution and accomplishment of the government in achieving food self-sufficiency, and maps Bangladesh’s journey towards ensuring food security for all.

Currently, around a third of Bangladesh’s population consists of youth. This places the country in a unique position to reap the demographic dividend of a large young population. The government and non-government sectors have been working together to put the right policies and investments in health, education and employment, that enables the youth to reach their full potential and contribute in Bangladesh’s development. This publication discusses how Bangladesh is investing in youth development.

The Government of Bangladesh has been implementing policies to increase access to education, improve quality and relevance of education, reduce inequality and leverage on knowledge and skills in science, technology and innovation. The quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education has also improved due to various interventions during the past decade. This publication illustrates the policies and initiatives by the Bangladesh government in ensuring equitable and quality education.

Bangladesh is currently on track to become a technologically advanced nation by 2021. Driven by widespread digitization in the public and private sectors, the country has seen exponential growth in its internet connectivity and mobile phone usage. The drive based on the ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative has resulted in the widespread use of ICT in education and public services. The country has also launched its first geostationary communication and broadcasting satellite in 2018, entering the space age. This publication maps the journey of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ since its inception and its impact on the people.

Bangladesh has placed confronting the challenges of climate change at the core of its development agenda through different policy initiatives. These initiatives, from climate change adaptation measures to ecosystem preservation legislation, mean that the current and the future generations of Bangladeshi are better prepared to address climate change risks and reverse the impacts of environmental degradation. This publication covers the achievements, key initiatives, progress in SDG goals and the major environmental challenges for the country.

This publication reflects the commitments, policies, challenges and efforts for improving Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. Over the last few years, Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in the health sector as a result of smart planning, thorough implementation, robust monitoring and evaluation of the latest health interventions. In the last decade, the government has played a key role in both policy development and policy implementation in the health and nutrition sector. The publication covers Bangladesh’s endeavor en route to universal healthcare.